Salvation Army officers and staff from across Central and Eastern Pennsylvania will convene at State Capitol in Harrisburg on Tuesday, October 25, to share with legislators the work The Salvation Army is doing to better the lives of thousands of Pennsylvanians every day.
120 Salvation Army representatives will meet their local representatives to discuss the need in their respective area and describe the important services they provide to citizens such as food assistance, housing, social services, anti-human trafficking efforts, senior citizen and youth community programming, emergency disaster services, and much more.
A special program will be held in the rotunda at noon, featuring testimonials from individuals whose lives have been changed by The Salvation Army across Pennsylvania, remarks from Salvation Army leaders, as well as special presentations from Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Mike Stack and Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). Numerous state officials are also expected to attend.
In 2015, The Salvation Army provided nearly 1 million meals and over 320,000 nights of emergency housing across the state of Pennsylvania. It also served more than 840,000 individuals through its various community center programs. According to the Human Needs Index, a new and dynamic resource consumption evaluation tool created through a collaborative partnership between The Salvation Army and Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the need for basic necessities amongst disadvantaged populations in Pennsylvania has increased in the past ten years. Approximately 1 in 7 families in Pennsylvania live in poverty today.
“The Salvation Army provides programs and services in every single zip code in Pennsylvania. It is important that our legislators understand how we are helping to meet the needs of the underserved and impoverished throughout our communities,” said Lt. Colonel Stephen Banfield, Divisional Commander, The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware. “We must continue to strengthen our valued relationships with lawmakers so we can work together to positively impact those we serve.”
About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. Since 1879, The Army has held a record of accomplishment stemming from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually. The Army’s programming serves every zip code through 51 community centers and a network of volunteers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Delaware. Programs and services include: shelter, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreational opportunities, music programs, after-school arts and educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, spiritual development, and drug rehabilitation. For more information, please visit www.SalvationArmyPendel.org.
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The Salvation Army of Eastern PA & DE 